If your property has windows which are not sash and case, such as PVC or pivot windows, and your property is listed. Your window work should be zero rated for VAT as long as the listed building consent is approved.

Download Listed building Consent Form

Download inland revenue VAT reduction form

There is also a VAT reduction on draughtproofing works to sash and case windows. This is sometimes incorrectly applied to the whole job. The 5% VAT rate applies to the draughtproofing element of the renovation only.

When we supply you with a sash window renovation quotation, it is split into two parts. The renovation part which is standard 20% VAT and the draughtproofing element at 5%.

If you are in any doubt, contact your local planning authority and the HMRC directly.

Edinburgh: Planning Helpdesk: 0131 529 3550

HMRC VAT helpline:  0845 010 9000

Our main works can be broken into the four categories which are listed below.

• Single Glazed Refurbishment
• Installation of new sashes into existing casements.
• Full new sash and casement installation.
• Painting works.

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Single Glazed Refurbishment Works;

These works involve fully refurbishing your casements and would be considered to be your first level in maintenance works. You can expect the windows to be working well, and all rotten timbers to have been replaced. The pointing will normally be replaced externally. The casements and sashes will have had sanding and fitting work carried out to them to bring them up to a much higher standard, but the sashes and casements are obviously original and unlikely to be perfectly square and plumb, and therefore have a lesser level of draught-proofing. The moulding detail will probably not be as sharp as with new sashes as the previous build up of the layers of paint loses much of the detail. We would expect a level of around 70% draught-proofed.

Installation Of New Sashes into Existing Casements;

The second level for works to your sash windows. If you are considering upgrading your existing single glazed sashes to double glazed sashes or if your sashes are rotten, our workshops will manufacture new sashes to be installed in your casements. When undertaking these works obviously very little of your original window is left remaining and you can expect a higher level of finish. We would expect new sashes to be manufactured to a high level and installed into your casement and be freely moving. If your original casements are still in place there will be sideways movement in your sashes even after new sashes are installed as your casements may be bowed or twisted due to subsidence. We would expect draught-proofing to be in the region of 80% effective.

Full New Sash and Casement Replacement;

The highest level for window works. Your new casements will be completely mathematically square and your sashes should slide smoothly up and down. We would expect draught-proofing to be in the region of 90-95% effective.

This involves removal of shutters and panel work from your windows, this is the dustiest of the 3 options as there will be alot of historic soot and dirt behind the panelwork. The panelwork will be refitted but, you would expect a level of redecoration work. Paint seams will be cracked and a certain amount of remedial prep work will be required to bring them back up to a high standard,

Draughtproofing and ventilation

Draught-proofing is part of the above three services. The effectiveness of the draught-proofing has been broken down per section. It is ESC’s opinion that timber sash and case windows do not require trickle ventilation and there is enough ventilation and free movement of air around the sashes.

For example with a plastic window, when the window is new, the window will be probably 99% draughtproofed when all the rubber seals are engaged, this is reduced to 85-90% with the installation of trickle vents. Ventilation for windows is an essential part of condensation control. If you have a completely airtight window, condensation will be far higher.

The free movement required by the sashes in order to function properly allows enough ventilation. It should be noted that timber sash windows are a natural product and are subject to expansion, shrinkage and occasional twists within the timber. This is completely normal with any timber product, and should have no adverse affect on the windows.

Haunched mortice and tenon joint

Window Construction

ESC manufacture our own windows. They are traditionally made with haunched mortice and tenon joints in exactly the same manner as they were made originally. We run specialised mouldings and astrigals which are not available “off the shelf”.

This process is far more time consuming than the mass produced methods used by many companies, who sometimes use finger joints, metal plates in corners, and through tenons to speed up the production process. Moisture will always get into the joints of a window to some degree – snow build up on a cill for example, this will have no short term affect on a mortice and tenon joint, but joints which rely on glues or metal plates cannot possibly last. Windows produced in this manner have a far shorter life span, and we sometimes find ourselves replacing windows that are 5 -10 years old.

Properly made and maintained sash windows will last for years (see Saltoun hall refurbishment case study for 300 year old sash windows)

Moisture Content

ESC manufacture windows from any type of timber, but we will usually manufacture sash windows from unsorted redwood – a very durable oily timber. Our timbers are hand picked and unsuitable sections are not used in the production process. However it should be noted that these windows are made from a natural material ie timber and are not plastic.

We see windows of all ages and all timber types when we are undertaking our works, and in our opinion, many of the hardwoods last no longer than a good quality redwood. On jobs such as the Mission Home (see case studies) the oak windows had decayed far more than the original redwood windows.

All timbers have a moisture content and will therefore react differently in different environments.

Painting Works.

ESC recommends using our own painting service. The painting of sash and case windows is a highly skilled undertaking and should be carried out at a minimum by a suitably qualified contractor. If windows are not painted correctly then the life span of them will be severely affected. Care should be taken to keep draught-proofing systems reasonably paint free.

Factory spray painting is also popular on mass produced windows, whilst this is convenient and cheaper, it is ESC opinion that this is an inferior painting method in particular with regard to the seal betwen the timber and the glass units when a slight overlap onto the glass is essential to seal the join.

We will normally knot seal, prime and undercoat the timbers in the workshop by hand, and the windows will then get a further undercoat and top coat applied on site.

The majority of the painters work is in the preparation of the windows, if you choose to use your own contractors or undertake painting work yourself, please be aware that preparation works will still be required before commencing any painting..

Please note that a start date for painting will be given after joinery works are completed . All painting works are subject to weather conditions and as such may not be undertaken immediately after installation of your windows. All painting works will be invoiced at a later date separately from joinery works which will be invoiced on completion of installation of windows. Please Note: gloss paint takes 7 days to dry. Sashes should be moved daily during this period to avoid them sticking.

Ironmongery

ESC uses only the best quality ironmongery. When good enough fittings have not been available we have had them specially manufactured for us. The fittings are all replicas of the original Victorian and Georgian fittings and are usually made from solid brass except where extra strength is required such as with the pulley wheels where the main body would be made from steel and the face plate would be solid brass. The fittings are available in 3 finishes, Polished Brass, Chrome and Satin chrome. You will be asked to specify the finish you require prior to commencement of manufacture.

Maintenance

Please note that sash windows are sometimes sold by companies as maintenance free, unfortunately this is not the case. Sash windows require very little maintenance however, sash and case windows should be painted regularly to get a long life time from the product. Depending on the windows location and its exposure to sun and weather, the windows should normally be thoroughly painted every 3-4 years and cills and bottom rails every 1-2 years. More often may be required on for example seafront properties, where extreme exposure to elements and salt will break down the paint quicker. Linseed oil should be applied to sand mastic in order to stop it drying out and retain its flexibility.

Follow the link in the left hand column to Historic Scotlands excellent guide to sash and case window maintenance.

The Edinburgh Sash and Case Guarantee

The guarantee covers the double glazed units, any replacement timbers and all ironmongery.

In the unlikely event of a failure due to manufacturing faults of double glazed units, ESC will replace the units free of charge. Any defective timbers will be replaced as long as basic maintenance has been carried out. In the event of any ironmongery breaking, replacement items will also be provided free of charge.

Edinburgh Sash and Case is the trading name for K Construction (Scotland) Ltd

15 Marionville Road, Edinburgh, Eh7 5TY. VAT NO: 8706 18611.Company No sc288209

Payment Terms

Our prices are highly competitive but, in order to retain this service for future client’s, cash flow is an essential part of our administration process.

We request payment on completion of works requested and undertaken. This can be arranged via our administration department contactable on 0131 661 3663. Our office takes Visa Card and Debit cards, BACS payments, cheques or cash.

In the unlikely event of there being any outstanding issues, a 10% retention of the outstanding amount can be arranged with the office until the issue has been resolved. The remainder will then be invoiced when these are resolved.

The deposit will confirm your fitting date and is required prior to commencement of any manufacturing to cover outlays.

• Single Glazed Refurbishments – 10% deposit required, remainder on completion.
• Installation of New Sashes Into Existing Casements – 40% deposit required, remainder on completion.
• Full New Sash and Casement Replacement – 60% deposit required, remainder on completion.
• Painting Works – no deposit, 100% on completion.
• Manufacturing Supply Only – 50% deposit required, 50% on delivery.

Your quotation is subject to the following Terms and Conditions.

• Suitable preparations should be undertaken by customers for the commencement of works.These would include moving any potentially damageable or valuable possessions from the location of works providing a clear access to the windows for tradesmen to effectively undertake the task.
• All of ESC works to your windows create airborne dust, and whilst we will take all reasonable steps to ensure this is kept at a minimum, we would ask that you assist by removing contents and furniture which might be affected from the rooms prior to our arrival. Sashes and casements are often sanded in the process of refurbishments and therefore suitable precautions to soft furnishings should be undertaken. Tradesmen will dust sheet the immediate vicinity of the windows but, additional precautions should be undertaken by the client.
• ESC accept no responsibility for the damage to any soft furnishings or curtains that have not been suitably prepared by our client’s.
• ESC joiners and painters are usually on site from 8 – 4:30 pm and will require full access to the property for the duration of works. We would ask that a key is provided if the client is not in the property.
• General issues – We would ask you to be aware that all works carry some potential for accidents to happen. We will do everything to keep those risks to a minimum but ,we would request you take extra care while we are carrying out work to your property. Extra care should be taken if children, the partially sighted or pets are in the property at the time the works take place.
• Works may involve strong smelling adhesives, paints or thinners. There may be a strong smell from solvents used on this work. Should anyone in the household suffer from breathing difficulties please make temporary measures to cope with this.
• Loss of facilities. Some work may result in temporary loss of facilities eg. Kitchen worktops in front of windows, telephone lines and plumbing issues. In the event of a temporary loss of facilities we will attempt to limit the time involved in restoring full facilities however we would advise provisions be made accordingly.
• High level external and internal work. Danger from falling roof material or trip hazard from ladders or tower scaffold. Special care needs to be taken with work that takes place on landings or upper level property’s.
• Work that involves generating debris. Some work may result in debris being produced that will need to be stored prior to removal from your property.
• External work. If external work is being undertaken it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure all moveable items are removed from the area. ESC will not be liable for possible damage to vehicles, garden furniture, planters, etc. from falling roof debris, paint etc.
• Breakable items such as pictures/mirrors, items on bookshelves etc. in areas where work is being carried out and access areas such as halls and staircases should be removed as ESC will not be liable for possible damage.
• All materials remain the property of K Construction (Scotland) Ltd until fully paid for.
• Deposits are held in a client account before work commences
• Whilst every effort will be made to commence work at an agreed date and time, no responsibility will be accepted should unavoidable delays occur. Where work times and job duration are intimated, this will only be a guide and we cannot be held liable for any consequential claims due to work over or under running the time schedule.

The easy clean system makes maintenance simple.

The Easy Clean System, sometimes refered to as the simplex system, is a very simple way of allowing access to the outside of your sash windows.

It is used on upper levels of a property to allow for window cleaning and general maintenance. It is not generally used on ground floors where the window can be accessed from the outside.

It consists of 4 different fittings, a cord clutch, a cord plug, a sash fastener and the slotted hinges.

The fittings allow you to open the bottom sash like a door, making maintenance and cleaning straightforward.

The easy clean system is the only system for traditional sash windows. It is available in a number of finishes, steel, brass, chrome and satin, to ensure your sash windows are looking their best.

Simplex Easy Clean System

]]> http://www.edinburghsashandcase.co.uk/simplex-easy-clean-system/feed/ 0 http://www.edinburghsashandcase.co.uk/q-will-my-sash-windows-last-for-years-to-come-or-should-i-consider-full-replacement/ http://www.edinburghsashandcase.co.uk/q-will-my-sash-windows-last-for-years-to-come-or-should-i-consider-full-replacement/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:41:16 +0000 webmaster http://www.edinburghsashandcase.co.uk/?p=99 A. The vast majority of sash windows in Edinburgh can be fully refurbished and will outlast a modern replacement. Georgian and Victorian sash windows have been manufactured from slow grown pine which is a far stronger, more durable timber. When…

The Scotsman (see below) recently reported that the Edinburgh City Council were reviewing the ban on Double Glazing in certain Conservation Areas.

City U-turn over double glazing ban in the frame, Published Date: 03 September 2008 and last retrieved 18 Feb 2010.